Career Change Age 57

The Matthew Winter Story

A year ago I felt 80 (I am 57). Today I feel 30. I work 80 hours a week and don’t feel tired.

Back then, I felt I had done all I was going to do – no one was going to give me a job and I wouldn’t be able to earn any money. Not because I am useless but because I felt old and tired and had lost my mojo. You can’t start a new career at 57. But, dear reader, you can and I have!

I employed Simon to help me. Everything he told me about my capability and transferable skills I hoped was true but I couldn’t make the pieces fit. I thought that my choice was either doing something I would enjoy and earn very little or earn better money by doing something I wouldn’t enjoy. All the options were an extension of what I had done previously and none of them excited me. The safe option for a while seemed to be more of the same because that’s where my experience and contacts lay.

Out of the blue, something popped up that I had a go at that was nothing like I had ever done before. I wish I had found it years ago because what I do now is a perfect combination of using my skills and attributes to best effect and by far the most satisfying role I have ever had.

The only way I found myself in this amazing situation was by taking risks and getting out from under the safety blanket. I realised that had I continued with the same old I’d have got the same old result.

Simon gave me the confidence that I needed to throw myself into something new believing that if what he was saying was true, I would be able to take on a new challenge with no experience.

I am now a Film Location Manager working on a $20 million movie with some of the top names in the film industry.

It is a role that needs great reserves of energy and resourcefulness combined with excellent people skills, a creative eye, and an ability to think laterally.

I use all the skills in previous careers as a Salesman, Sponsor Manager at McLaren and freelance Sports Agent for a Formula One racing driver. But none of these combined my skills so perfectly as they do in my new career.

Despite my age, I found a career I hope to do for the next 30 years.

Thank you Simon!

Matthew Winter

My ultimate purpose as your coach is that when you leave me, you are happy in your new job, happy in your career, happy in your life and indeed happy with yourself.